A "25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE" Question

#1

A "25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE" Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:52pm

A theatre near me is doing this show. Most of the roles are cast, but a few are open. The only role I could play is Chip, which was played by Jose Llana on Broadway. I can't remember, but in the script is there anything about this role being ethnic?

#2

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:55pm

I don't think they made any mention to the ethnicity of Chip I could be wrong though.

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"i had no idea billy elliot was about one boy's triumph over epilepsy."-FindingNamo

#3

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:56pm

I know for a fact he doubled as Jesus and then Marcy says something along the lines of "Jesus? I knew you were Asian." I feel like there might have been more but that's the only one that stuck.

#4

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:57pm

Oh I totally forgot Chip doubled as Jesus, thanks for reminding me.

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"i had no idea billy elliot was about one boy's triumph over epilepsy."-FindingNamo

#5

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:58pm

Oh man, I miss this show

#6

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 1:50pm

Chip did double as Jesus in the Broadway production, but my camp did it this past summer and our Chip wasn't Asian. They had him speak in a strong 'Jewish' accent (clearly that isn't an actual accent, but for lack of a better term it gets the point across) and changed Marcy's line to fit the circumstances and it was equally funny.

#7

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 1:57pm

Thanks!

#8

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 1:59pm

I miss SPELLING BEE so much.

One of the funniest shows I've literally ever seen.

#9

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 2:01pm

In the Chicago production, Chip's last name was changed to something vaguely Jewish rather than Phillipino.

#10

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 2:04pm

I also miss Spelling Bee. It was brilliant, hilarious and Finn's wittiness combined with Lapine's intimate and spontaneous direction made it a night of Comedy Gold.

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Current Avatar:The sensational Aaron Tveit in the soon to be hit production of Catch Me If You Can.

#11

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 2:05pm

esparza... do you EVER talk like a normal human being?

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"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas."
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#12

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 3:06pm

Chip's alternate surname is Berkowitz.

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#13

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 5:49pm

So, what you are saying is that I (being white) can probably easily audition for the part?

#14

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 7:09pm

It can't hurt.

BTW forgot to mention that David Campbell, the original Chip in the Aussie version was white. (And they kept the name "Tolentino, go fig.) Although Barfee was played by a woman...

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#15

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 9:03pm

"One of the funniest shows I've literally ever seen."

And that's one of the most unintentionally hilarious lines I have figuratively ever read.

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Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#16

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 9:03pm

Go for it, MTVMANN.

Eww, Barfee as a woman? Not only do the jokes just not seem as funny from a "little girl," what about the crush Barfee has Olive? (and her hairdooooooo!)

#17

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 9:13pm

Well, she played it AS a boy.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee/2007/06/18/1182018972802.html

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#18

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/14/09 at 9:27pm

I just saw the show two weeks ago with a very white bread "Chip Barrington." i think they adjust the name to fit the actor.

#19

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/15/09 at 7:05am

I haven't seen it posted on the board yet but if anybody misses this as much as I do they'll be happy to know that it's coming to the Westchester Broadway Theatre next February.

#20

re: A '25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' Question

Posted: 6/15/09 at 8:16am

When the show first came out, I thought Tolentino was italian. I couldn't figure out why they changed it in the Chicago production.

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"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert